Category: Health

The Health Benefits Of Scuba Diving

Scuba diving is a very enjoyable activity that many people partake in, but a lot of people do not know about the health benefits. There are actually a number of health benefits that come from scuba diving which might tempt you to try this underwater activity. The health benefits of scuba diving can be felt by beginners as well as the more experienced diver.

Improving Strength And Flexibility

Underwater movement works your muscles more than movement outside of the water. This is why many physical rehabilitation programs will use water-based exercises. When your muscles have to work harder as you move, they will become stronger.

The more you scuba dive, the more your muscles will lengthen and build up strength as well as flexibility. A lot of people assume that this muscle strengthening will only affect the legs as they are used to fight the current and propel you through the water. However, this is not true and your core strength will also be improved with many divers finding that their overall posture improves after diving.

An Improvement In Breathing

Breathing is something that we do automatically and generally, we take our ability to breathe correctly for granted. However, optimal breathing will help you to conserve and optimize air consumption. This is something that scuba diving will be able to help with.

As you dive, you will generally breathe out at a slower rate. This is done to reduce the heart rate and to promote a sense of calm as you dive. Steady breathing is vital if you want to avoid any lung-expansion injuries while diving, but will also help you when you are out of the water.

The breathing techniques used for scuba diving have been known to help with certain existing conditions. These conditions will include asthma and other lung problems. You will also find that the breathing techniques will help you with on-land activities such as running.

Lower Blood Pressure

When you first dive into the water, your heart rate will spike and this causes a slight increase in blood pressure. However, the majority of divers will be in water that lower the body temperature. When you are in cold water, the blood vessels will constrict to help preserve heat, but this will cause the heart rate to spike.

However, as you heat up during your dive, your heart rate will slow down and your blood pressure will decrease. The slow and deep breathing technique which is used will also help to lower your blood pressure and stay calm. Of course, it is important to note that if you already suffer from high blood pressure, you should speak to a doctor before you start scuba diving. The initial spike before the lowering of blood pressure could cause problems if you have a pre-existing condition.

There are many health benefits to scuba diving that most people do not know about. These health benefits will include a lowering of blood pressure, improved breathing techniques and strengthening of the muscles. There are many great diving companies worldwide that help educate and train you in such matter. Here are some of your favorite sources on diving benefits click here. The best Oahu scuba diving company also has a wealth of knowledge on the subject of health benefits from diving.